Rowers Participate in Camp Program
8/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Aug. 6, 2008
East Lansing, Mich. - The Michigan State rowing team has spent the summer teamed with the City of Lansing Parks and Recreation Department to help community children learn to row and experience different activities on the water. In addition to the "Learn to Row" program held two weeks ago, several members of the team spent the day out at Hawk Island Park on wed., August 6 helping more than 465 kids take paddle and row boat rides on the lake.
This summer marks the fifth year that the Spartan rowers have been involved with the City of Lansing and their summer camp programs. Each year the program has gotten larger and this summer was no different. Along with the 465 campers, the counselors and parents on hand helped numbers reach close to 550 total people. Much of the program's appeal is the chance for kids to interact with Spartan athletes.
The children on hand were members of Lansing's 18 summer camp programs that are dispersed throughout the city. Each unit consists of about 25-30 kids and two to three camp counselors. The day at the park marked the program's final week in session before school starts for many of the children. With just a two-dollar fee, each child was able to enjoy all of the amenities at the park and each one of them got their own personal ride from an MSU Spartan.
"It's fun when you get out there and see the interest that kids have," junior Emily Huddleston (Dexter, Mich.) said. "My favorite part is seeing how happy the kids are when they are learning a new thing. Its nice to be there to help them out."
Alsong with Huddleston, several Spartans were on hand including Megan Kursick (Fenton, Mich.) and Catie Tyzo (West Bloomfield, Mich.). Each of them took several trips out on to the lake while teaching each of the children how to either paddle or row a boat. Varsity assistant coach Christiina Tymoszewicz was there to lead the rowers and spent much of the day handing out life vests and arranging rides for the children. Kursick, Huddleston and Tyzo spent the morning and afternoon piloting the boats and interacting with the children.
"The best part is getting out there and helping the kids," said Kursick. "It's great because they all ask `are you from State?' and they get really excited. It's just nice to be able to give the kids something fun to do."
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